EPISD Rocks! Convocation rocks in new school year for teachers

(ELPASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – Aug. 8, 2019) – Just like those concerts from the 1980s, nearly 5,000 teachers and administrators on Thursday packed the El Paso County Coliseum to kick-off the school year during the 2019-20 EPISD Rocks Convocation sponsored by TFCU.

Using a theme of Rock of Ages, the teachers showed off their school pride and some even donned cool rocker attire and wigs.

“I love this year’s convocation theme. I’m excited to get back into the classroom,” said Guillen Middle School teacher Stacy Quezada. “What a way to get us pumped and ready for the new school year!”

Teachers returned to work this week. The first day of school for students is Monday.

The convocation included a parade of schools that featured drumlines, cheerleaders, dancers and mascots. Principals led their teachers in cheers.

Attendees heard from Alex Sheen, the founder of because I said I would, a nonprofit dedicated to the betterment of humanity through promises made and kept.

Meagan Vray, a teacher at Johnson Elementary, said Sheen and the rest of the program pumped her for the start of the school year.

“I am looking forward to making a difference in the lives of my students,” she said. “I think it’s important and crucial that we motivate our kids to give back to our community.”

EPISD teachers also had the opportunity to meet with local vendors, who provided dozens of door prizes like televisions, gift certificates and speakers.

Superintendent Juan E. Cabrera said it was great to celebrate teachers like the rock stars they are.

“In a very short time, you have transformed teaching and learning in EPISD. We are today one of the best-performing urban school districts in the country,” Cabrera told teachers. “Who would have believed that six or seven years ago? No one.”